Can You Throw a Longsword in D&D? The Definitive Guide
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Yes, you can throw a longsword in D&D 5e, but not as a standard, optimized tactic. The rules allow it, treating the longsword as an improvised weapon. However, there are significant drawbacks, making it a situational, last-resort option rather than a preferred combat strategy. Let’s delve into the specifics.
Improvised Weapons: The Key to Sword-Chuckin’
The core mechanic enabling this is the improvised weapon rule. If you attack with something that isn’t explicitly a weapon, or throw a melee weapon that lacks the thrown property, it’s considered an improvised weapon. This comes with certain implications:
- Damage: Improvised weapons typically deal 1d4 damage. This is significantly less than the longsword’s normal 1d8 (or 1d10 versatile) damage.
- Range: An improvised thrown weapon has a normal range of 20 feet and a long range of 60 feet. Attacks beyond the normal range suffer disadvantage.
- Proficiency: Unless you have a specific feat or class feature that grants proficiency with improvised weapons, you are not proficient. This means you’ll have disadvantage on the attack roll.
- Ability Modifier: You’ll use your Strength modifier for the attack and damage rolls, just as you would for a melee attack with the longsword.
- No Thrown Property: Since the longsword lacks the thrown property, you can’t add any abilities or features that require a weapon to have that property.
Why It’s Usually a Bad Idea
While technically possible, throwing a longsword is rarely optimal:
- Reduced Damage: The 1d4 damage is a significant downgrade from the longsword’s normal damage output.
- Disadvantage on Attack Rolls: The lack of proficiency means you likely attack with disadvantage, further reducing your chances of hitting.
- Lost Weapon: You are literally throwing your weapon away, leaving you unarmed in melee combat. This can be a death sentence.
- Better Alternatives: Almost any other ranged weapon, like a dagger or shortbow, will offer superior performance.
When It Might Be Acceptable
Despite the drawbacks, there are niche situations where throwing a longsword could be considered:
- Desperate Measures: If you are disarmed, grappled, or otherwise unable to engage in melee, throwing your sword might be better than doing nothing.
- Finishing Blow: If an enemy is at very low health and you need to deal any damage at range, a desperate throw could finish them off.
- Roleplaying: Let’s face it, sometimes it’s just cool to do, and the rule of cool trumps everything!
- Creative Solutions: Perhaps you need to sever a rope, break a fragile object, or trigger a trap from a distance. A thrown sword, however inaccurate, might work.
- Environment: Perhaps you are on a cliff and need to engage someone below and they are just out of range for your bow.
Strategic Considerations
If you are going to attempt this, keep these things in mind:
- Strength Score: A high Strength score will improve both your attack and damage rolls.
- Advantage: Find ways to gain advantage on the attack roll to offset the disadvantage from lacking proficiency.
- Backup Weapon: Always have a backup weapon available in case your throw fails.
- Retrieval: Consider the logistics of retrieving your sword after throwing it.
The DM’s Discretion
Ultimately, the DM has the final say. They can adjust the damage, range, or even disallow the action altogether. A lenient DM might allow you to use your proficiency bonus if you can justify it through your character’s background or training.
Conclusion
While throwing a longsword in D&D 5e is possible, it’s generally not recommended due to reduced damage and lack of proficiency. It’s a situational option best reserved for desperate or roleplaying scenarios. Remember to consider the risks, plan accordingly, and hope for a lenient DM. Remember that creativity is one of the hallmarks of D&D, and is encouraged by the Games Learning Society!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the rules and implications of throwing a longsword in D&D 5e:
1. Does the Tavern Brawler Feat Help?
Yes, the Tavern Brawler feat removes the disadvantage from using improvised weapons and adds your proficiency bonus to the attack roll. This makes throwing a longsword more viable, though it still doesn’t address the reduced damage.
2. Can I Use Sharpshooter with a Thrown Longsword?
No. The Sharpshooter feat only applies to ranged weapon attacks made with weapons you are proficient with. Since you are not proficient with a longsword as a ranged weapon, this feat will not apply.
3. Can a Monk Use Martial Arts with a Thrown Longsword?
It depends on the DM’s interpretation. Technically, Martial Arts requires a monk weapon, and an improvised weapon doesn’t qualify. However, a DM might allow it, especially if the monk has a creative justification.
4. How Does Two-Weapon Fighting Interact with Thrown Longswords?
Two-Weapon Fighting requires that both weapons have the light property. A longsword does not have the light property, so you can’t use two weapon fighting with a longsword.
5. What Happens if I Critically Hit with a Thrown Longsword?
A critical hit doubles the damage dice, so you would roll 2d4 instead of 1d4. Other critical hit effects might apply as normal.
6. Can I Use Sneak Attack with a Thrown Longsword?
Potentially, if you are a Rogue. Sneak Attack requires a finesse or ranged weapon. A thrown longsword is neither. However, If you have advantage on the attack roll and are using an improvised weapon, a lenient DM might allow it.
7. Does the Dueling Fighting Style Apply?
No. The Dueling fighting style requires that you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand, and no other weapons. The longsword is not in your hand, so it would not apply.
8. Can I Enchant a Longsword Specifically for Throwing?
While not a standard rule, a DM might allow you to enchant a longsword to function better as a thrown weapon. This could involve adding the thrown property, increasing the damage, or improving the range.
9. What’s the Difference Between Throwing a Longsword and Using a Javelin?
A Javelin is a dedicated thrown weapon. It deals more damage (1d6), has a longer range, and you are proficient with it. Throwing a longsword is a desperate, less effective alternative.
10. How Does Cover Affect a Thrown Longsword Attack?
Standard cover rules apply. Half cover grants +2 to AC and Dexterity saving throws, three-quarters cover grants +5, and total cover blocks the attack entirely.
11. What About Magical Longswords?
If you throw a magical longsword, the magical properties still apply. For example, a Flame Tongue would still deal fire damage in addition to the 1d4 improvised weapon damage.
12. Can I Use the Great Weapon Master Feat?
No. The Great Weapon Master feat requires a heavy weapon that you are wielding. A longsword is not a heavy weapon, nor are you wielding it when you throw it.
13. Can I Use Hunter’s Mark on my enemy and throw the longsword?
Yes! The Hunter’s Mark spell allows you to mark an enemy and deal extra damage when you hit with a weapon attack. Since throwing the longsword still triggers a weapon attack, you would get to add the extra damage from Hunter’s Mark.
14. Is there a Class or Subclass that Makes Throwing Swords Viable?
Not specifically. However, a Battle Master Fighter could use maneuvers like Trip Attack to gain advantage on the attack roll, and Eldritch Knights can bond with their weapon for easier retrieval, making it less risky.
15. How Does Throwing a Longsword Interact with Opportunity Attacks?
Throwing a longsword is a ranged attack, and ranged attacks made while within 5 feet of an enemy provoke opportunity attacks, unless you have the Disengage action or a similar ability.
We hope this guide has clarified the possibilities and limitations of throwing a longsword in D&D 5e. Remember to consult with your DM and use your imagination to create memorable and engaging gameplay experiences! If you are interested in learning more about games and learning, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.